jc (JSON Convert) transforms the output of CLI tools, file types, and common strings into structured JSON for easier parsing in scripts and automation workflows. Instead of wrestling with unstructured text output, pipe your commands directly to jc and receive clean, validated JSON.

The tool works through simple piping: dig example.com | jc --dig converts DNS query results into JSON objects. You can then chain this with other tools like jq for further processing: dig example.com | jc --dig | jq -r '.[].answer[].data'.

Key capabilities include:

Multiple parsers supporting dozens of CLI commands (dig, ls, ps, netstat, and many more)
Flexible output formats with options for raw or processed JSON with semantic context
Python library integration for use in scripts and applications
Magic syntax allowing jc command instead of command | jc
Type conversion that intelligently converts numbers, booleans, and null values
Streaming support for processing large datasets efficiently

Perfect for bash scripting, Ansible automation, configuration management, and data analysis scenarios where structured data is essential. Available via pip, package managers (apt, brew, dnf), and as an Ansible filter plugin for seamless integration into your existing workflows.